A SCHOOLGIRL who was partially blinded in an airgun accident will today make an emotional appeal to people not to buy guns.

A SCHOOLGIRL who was partially blinded in an airgun accident will today make an emotional appeal to people not to buy guns.

Emily Humpage, 10, who lives in the Colwyn Bay area, lost part of her vision in one eye and needed an operation to remove a pellet from her mouth after an airgun was accidentally discharged into her face.

With her sight now slowly returning, she will appear at a press conference with her mother, Sharon, today to highlight changes to gun restrictions.

The pair will urge the public not to possess guns of any sort, to ensure other children do not suffer in the same way as Emily has done.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 makes it an offence to possess a gas-cartridge air weapon without a full firearms certificate.

North Wales Police say anyone who owns an airgun and has not applied for a certificate by April 30 should hand the weapon to the police to avoid falling foul of the new law.

There are also tighter restrictions on the age when someone can possess any sort of air weapon. The new law also makes it an offence to possess an air weapon or a replica firearm in a public place.

Clive Wolfendale, deputy chief constable of North Wales, said, "The new measures have been introduced because these types of weapons are all too often used by individuals during incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We are also appealing to the public to be responsible and play their part in making Wales a safer place by handing any unwanted air weapons or offensive weapons that they might possess to the police, as these articles are highly dangerous if misused."